The 2026 Taichung Jazz Festival is almost here! The Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government held a press conference on October 8 to give a first look at this year’s exciting lineup and event highlights. Now in its 22nd year, the Taichung Jazz Festival returns under the theme “When Giants Play”. From October 16 to 25, the festival will present 23 performances over 10 days at Taichung Civic Square, bringing together international musicians from the United States, Japan, Italy, South Korea, and beyond, along with jazz talents from different generations in Taiwan. From classic jazz and contemporary works to cross-genre collaborations, “jazz giants” from different generations and cultural backgrounds will gather in Taichung.
Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Chia-Chun Chen said this year’s main stage international lineup spans countries and generations, including Italian jazz guitarist Alessio Menconi, legendary Japanese fusion jazz band T-SQUARE, Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez, and British saxophonist and contemporary African Jazz representative Kevin Haynes, who will close the festival. Together, they show the many faces of jazz across generations, regions, and styles.

The Taiwan lineup is just as strong. “Taiwan’s King of Drums”, Rich Huang, will present two different programs this year, one outdoors and one indoors. On the main stage, he will team up with Golden Melody Award-winning Taiwanese-language singer Siri Lee, bringing jazz together with the distinctive sound of Taiwanese-language music. The next day, in the ticketed concert “Resonance Across Time”, he will lead the Formosa Jazz Band and collaborate with Golden Melody Award-winning Indigenous singer Usay Kawlu. Working with two Golden Melody Award-winning divas from different language backgrounds, he will create two completely different jazz dialogues through different lineups and musical vocabularies.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau added that beyond the main stage at Taichung Civic Square, this year’s jazz map will continue to expand into the city. Three ticketed concerts will take place at Morning Dew Hall, the performance space of Morning Dew Culture and Arts Foundation. From Taichung giants and Asian giants to world giants, the concerts will offer a listening experience that brings audiences closer to the musicians and the details of the music. The festival will also work with urban venues such as InterContinental Taichung and OLAH Hotel for industry touring performances, bringing jazz from the outdoor lawn into hotels and everyday city life. At the same time, more than 100 friendly restaurants, hotels, and cultural and creative shops are joining the festival, offering exclusive deals for music fans through the official LINE account. The festival becomes more than a music event. It becomes a city journey through Taichung.

Since its launch in 2003, the Taichung Jazz Festival has grown over more than two decades and now enters its 22nd edition. From international masters on stage and cross-genre dialogues among Taiwanese musicians to youth talent development and citywide venue connections, the festival hopes to make jazz not only something that happens on stage, but something that becomes part of Taichung’s city life. From October 16 to 25, music fans from across Taiwan are invited to gather once again at Taichung Civic Square and welcome “When Giants Play” in Taichung’s beautiful autumn season. For more information on jazz touring performances, ticketed concerts, and offers from friendly shops, please visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government website (https://www.culture.taichung.gov.tw), the Taichung Culture Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TaichungCulture), or the Taichung Jazz Festival Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/taichungJAZZfestival).

The Transportation Bureau of Taichung City Government is also teaming up with the Jazz Festival to launch the “Taichung Go Jazz Roaming Pass”. From October 7 to November 6, the Taichung Go platform will connect public transportation with local hotels and restaurants. Travelers can buy a pass on their phones and enjoy unlimited rides on Taichung city buses and the Taichung MRT within the pass period, avoiding the hassle of driving and looking for parking. The Taichung Go time-based unlimited pass currently offers three options, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours, allowing travelers to choose flexibly based on their itineraries.

Multiple special offers are also available. During the event, users who join Taichung Go and complete binding for the citizen-exclusive ride code, or purchase any unlimited pass, can enter a prize draw for a chance to win a Talmud Hotel weekday double room voucher or a New Palace Le Shi Buffet weekday voucher for two. In addition, the first 200 travelers who book through designated hotel websites will receive one “Taichung Go 24HR Time-Based Unlimited Pass”. Travelers are invited to enjoy a Taichung jazz trip in an easier and more convenient way.

During the event, people can show their “citizen-exclusive ride code” or “Taichung Go pass ticket screen” at partner stores to enjoy additional exclusive offers. The event also offers a limited transportation pass discount. The first 300 people who enter the promo code “THOLIDAY” on the designated purchase page when buying a time-based pass can enjoy 50% off. Partner accommodations include Talmud Hotel Classic Taichung Station, Talmud Hotel Taichung, Talmud Hotel Taiwan Boulevard, and TALMUD select Boda Hotel, making it easier for travelers to plan lodging and itineraries based on their needs.

The Transportation Bureau reminds users that the Taichung Go time-based QR pass is used through a mobile QR ride code. After purchase, it can be activated directly on the platform and used for unlimited rides on eligible Taichung city buses and the Taichung MRT within the pass period. During the event, the “Travel Passbook Rewards Program” will also be available. After travelers purchase and activate a time-based unlimited pass, points will be credited immediately and can be redeemed for a variety of gifts, extending transportation benefits into the travel experience.